Donaldsonville updates ordinances on center and parks

Donaldsonville updates ordinances on center and parks

DONALDSONVILLE — “For-profit groups” wishing to lease the Lemann Memorial Center to hold events will have to pay a $5,000 per-day fee to do so, according to one of three new ordinances adopted by the Donaldsonville City Council.

The rate ordinance further calls for such lessees to pay the center for services provided, including security, cleanup costs and damage deposits, in addition to the lease amount.

A second ordinance adopted during the council’s meeting Tuesday night sets the maximum occupancy for the center at 500 people.

The council also adopted an ordinance that regulates playing of loud music in city-owned parks, such as Crescent Park and Louisiana Square.

The law states that playing music during events held in the parks is prohibited, unless the event is sanctioned by the city.

City officials have received numerous complaints in recent months concerning loud music emanating from the parks, with many citing explicit language in the music’s lyrics.

Other items considered by the council included:

PROPOSED BUDGET: The council voted to introduce the city’s proposed 2013-14 fiscal year budget.

According to the proposed budget, general fund revenues are initially estimated to finish with a $9.48 million operational deficit, which would be covered by fund balance dollars.

Revenue funds, which include an estimated $2.36 million in sales tax collections, are expected to finish $45,000 in the black next year, the budget plan reads.

City Finance Director Sandra Williams told the council that proposed budget numbers remained similar to those from last year. However, she noted changes that include increases in both retirement funding and capital expenditures for the Fire Department.

Williams added that the budget also calls for the creation of three new job positions, one in the city’s Streets Department and two in its Natural Gas Department.

Councilmen will further dissect the budget at a special working meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. May 7 at City Hall. The budget will then go before a public hearing and subsequent vote at the council’s May 14 regular meeting.